Bushra Griffith
Dairy-free cheese has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people seeking out lactose-free, vegan, or simply dairy-alternative options. While dairy-free cheese was once considered a hit or miss product, the quality has improved significantly, and now there are plenty of attractive options available. From gourmet gouda to melt-your-heart cheddar, these dairy-free cheeses are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from pizzas and lasagnas to charcuterie boards and sandwiches. The best part? Many of these cheeses are made from nuts, like cashews and almonds, and are crafted using traditional cheesemaking techniques, resulting in rich and creamy textures that rival their dairy-based counterparts. So, whether you're looking for comfort food or a fancy addition to your next dinner party, dairy-free cheese has something to offer everyone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dairy-free cheese base ingredients | Cashew milk, almond milk, coconut, oats |
| Dairy-free cheese brands | Violife, Follow Your Heart, Miyokos, Daiya, Tofutti, Kite Hill, SriMu, Nuts For Cheese, Treeline, Parmela |
| Dairy-free cheese styles | Slices, shreds, blocks, soft cheese spreads, liquid, cream cheese, queso |
| Dairy-free cheese flavours | Smoked gouda, mozzarella, feta, parmesan, cheddar, gourmet gouda, havarti, jalapeño havarti |
| Lactose-intolerant cheeses | Muenster, Havarti, Limburger, Feta |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Dairy-free cheese options
Violife
Violife is the largest dairy-free cheese brand in the world and can be found in most local grocery stores. Their products are dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, lactose-free, nut-free, and preservative-free. Violife's dairy-free smoked gouda is perfect for sandwiches, while their dairy-free mozzarella is a good option for pizza.
Follow Your Heart
Follow Your Heart is another popular brand, with products that melt well and taste similar to regular cheese. Their dairy-free feta and smoked gouda are highly rated, and their parmesan cheese is a great topper for salads and pasta.
Miyoko's
Miyoko's offers a range of creamy, liquid, and solid cheeses. Their aged smokehouse cheddar is a semi-hard cheese crafted using cheesemonger techniques in Sonoma County, California. Their mozzarella, available in original and smoked flavors, is a good option for caprese salad or pizza.
Daiya
Daiya's oat milk formula has a good melt and flavor and is easily accessible as it's sold at most local grocers. They also offer a Jalapeño Havarti Style Block Cheese, which has a satisfying level of spice.
SriMu
SriMu is a dairy-free, paleo, and keto-friendly brand that is also gluten-free and crafted using raw ingredients. Their Bertie flavor is a versatile option that can be used in an alfredo sauce or risotto.
Nuts For Cheese
Nuts For Cheese is a woman-founded and woman-led company that offers a cashew-based cheese with a mild, rich, and creamy flavor. Their Un-Brie-Lievable product can be used in recipes such as pasta sauces, cheesecakes, and poutine.
Kite Hill
Kite Hill offers a dairy-free ricotta made from an almond milk base. It can be used in both sweet and savory recipes, such as stuffed shells or paired with dairy-free goat cheese in a Sicilian cannoli.
Tofutti
Tofutti's cream cheese is a popular vegan option that tastes similar to regular cream cheese.
In addition to these brands, there are several other dairy-free cheese options available, including House Party's plant-based queso, Treeline's schmear cream cheese, and Whole Foods 365 brand of dairy-free mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
It's important to note that dairy-free cheese options can be a bit of a ""hit or miss," and some people may prefer to avoid them entirely if they have a severe intolerance to lactose or dairy products. However, with the increasing variety and quality of dairy-free cheeses, it's now easier than ever to find options that suit your taste and dietary preferences.
Piave Cheese and Lactose: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Lactose intolerance and cheese
Lactose intolerance is a condition where the body is unable to digest the sugar (lactose) found in milk and other dairy products. This is due to a lack of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down milk sugar into glucose and galactose. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Cheese is a dairy product, and therefore it does contain lactose. However, not all cheeses are equal when it comes to lactose content. Aged, hard cheeses like Swiss, parmesan, cheddars, Edam, mozzarella, brie, and feta are lower in lactose or even lactose-free. These cheeses are generally well tolerated by people with lactose intolerance. Other low-lactose cheese options include cottage cheese, feta cheese made from goat or sheep's milk, and Havarti, which has a low to non-detectable level of lactose.
On the other hand, soft and creamy cheeses like ricotta and cream cheese tend to be higher in lactose. For those with severe lactose intolerance who cannot tolerate any lactose, there are non-dairy cheese options made from plant-based ingredients such as almond milk, cashew milk, and coconut milk. These dairy-free cheeses can be used in a variety of recipes, from grilled cheese sandwiches to charcuterie boards.
It is important to note that most people with lactose intolerance can manage the condition without completely eliminating dairy from their diet. Dairy products are rich sources of nutrients like calcium. Instead of avoiding dairy altogether, those with lactose intolerance can try gradually introducing small amounts of dairy into their diet, combining dairy with other foods, or using lactase enzyme supplements to aid digestion.
Cheese Jacket Potatoes: Are They Gluten-Free?
You may want to see also
Vegan cheese
Some popular brands of vegan cheese include Follow Your Heart, which offers dairy-free feta, smoked gouda, and parmesan; Violife, which offers dairy-free smoked gouda; and Miyoko's Creamery, which offers a range of creamy cheeses and aged smokehouse cheddar. Other brands mentioned by consumers include Chao, Tofutti, Daiya, SriMu, Nuts For Cheese, Rebel Cheese, and The Mansion's Pantry.
The taste and texture of vegan cheese can vary, and some brands are considered better than others. For example, Go Veggie's dairy-free cheese was described as having a plastic-like texture and lacking cheese flavor, while the Daiya brand was considered globby when melted. On the other hand, Follow Your Heart's feta cheese has been described as tasting like "the real thing."
The labeling of vegan cheese is a controversial topic, with dairy industry groups pushing to prohibit the use of terms like "cheese" on non-dairy products. In some regions, such as the European Union and the United Kingdom, labeling purely plant-based products as "cheese" is prohibited. However, advocates for vegan foods argue for free speech rights in the labeling of their products.
Meat and Cheese: Are They Gluten-Free?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Nut-based cheeses
Cashews are a popular choice for nut-based cheeses due to their mild, buttery taste and creamy texture when blended. However, other nuts such as macadamia, almonds, brazil nuts, and pili nuts are also used. Almond milk, for example, is used as a base for a dairy-free ricotta cheese, which can be used in both sweet and savoury recipes. Macadamia nuts are also used by Vtopian Artisan Cheeses, a company based in Portland, Oregon, to create vegan cheeses.
Some companies add flavourful ingredients during the fermentation process to enhance the taste of their nut-based cheeses. For instance, Dr. Cow adds ingredients such as reishi mushroom spores, blue-green algae, saffron, and truffles to create distinctive dairy-free products. They also use lapsang souchong, a strong Chinese black tea, to mimic the flavour of smoked gouda.
Jarlsberg Cheese: Lactose-Free Superfood?
You may want to see also
Cream cheese alternatives
There are several alternatives to cream cheese, including dairy-free options.
Greek yoghurt is a great substitute for cream cheese, as it is rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin B12. It can be used in a 1:1 ratio and works well in dips, spreads, frostings, and baked goods. To make it thicker, you can strain it overnight using a cheesecloth.
Mascarpone, an Italian cheese made from heavy cream, is another alternative with a similar taste and texture to cream cheese. It is slightly sweeter and has twice the fat content, but it can be used interchangeably with cream cheese.
If you're looking for a vegan option, silken tofu is a good choice. It is often used in vegan cheesecakes and bagel spreads due to its soft and creamy texture. It is also highly nutritious, containing protein, manganese, selenium, and calcium.
For those who are lactose intolerant, there are some cheeses that are easier to digest due to their lower sugar content. These include aged, hard cheeses such as Muenster, which has a 0-1.1% lactose range, and Havarti, which has a low to non-detectable level of lactose (0.1-2%). Limburger, a soft cheese with a moderate amount of lactose (2%), is another option with a smooth, creamy texture.
In addition to the options above, there are also dairy-free cheeses made from various bases, including coconut, cashew milk, and almond milk. These can be used in similar ways to regular cheese, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, charcuterie boards, or as a dollop on noodles.
Some specific brands and products to look out for include:
- Miyoko's aged smokehouse cheddar, a semi-hard cheese crafted using cheesemonger techniques and smoked for over four weeks.
- Violife's dairy-free smoked gouda, which is free from soy, gluten, nuts, and preservatives.
- Follow Your Heart's dairy-free parmesan cheese, which adds a salty tingle and a stinky smell to your meals.
- Kite Hill's dairy-free ricotta, which can be used in desserts or savoury recipes like stuffed shells.
- SriMu's Bertie flavour, a dairy-free, paleo, and keto-friendly cheese that can be used in alfredo sauce or risotto.
- Nuts For Cheese's Un-Brie-Lievable, a mild, rich, and creamy cashew-based cheese that is versatile and can be used in pasta sauces, cheesecakes, and more.
- Tofutti Cream Cheese, a vegan cream cheese option.
Mrs. Weaver's Pimento Cheese: A Gluten-Free Delight
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are many dairy-free cheese options available, such as coconut-based, cashew-based, almond milk-based, and oat milk-based cheeses.
Some popular brands that sell dairy-free cheese include Violife, Follow Your Heart, Miyoko's, Daiya, and Treeline.
Dairy-free cheese can be found at various grocers, including Whole Foods, Winco, Walmart, Kroger, and Target.
